I’ve Heard That Canaloplasty Is Not As Effective As More Traditional Glaucoma Surgery (Trabeculectomy). Is This True?

Apr 19, 2011

No, although this is widely believed by many surgeons who do not perform Canaloplasty. It has generally been thought that trabeculectomy is the only way to get (IOPs) under 12mmHg. However, a recent head-to-head study comparing one year results of Canaloplasty vs. trabeculectomy showed no significant difference in average IOP between the two surgeries. Granted, average IOP does not address the issue of the lowest IOP achievable. Nevertheless, some of my own patients who have had Canaloplasty now have pressures between 8-10mmHg. This is by no means the average result, but does speak to the issue of whether it is possible for Canaloplasty to lower the IOP below 10mmHg.